Greater Kruger, ZA, glossy starlings (1 Viewer)

njlarsen

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• Sep 6, 2011

• #1

Hi All,
hope for some help here. I have 1 down as a probably Burchell's Starling (dark eye) and the same for 4-5 (same bird in those two images). No 2 has much longer tail? And 3 I think contain Cape Glossy Starling.

Thanks
Niels

 

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MariettaBirder

Well-known member

• Sep 6, 2011

• #2

Consider:

#2 - Meves's
#3 - Greater Blue-eared

I've seen & photoed both on our trip and these two seem to match. I have not seen the others, so won't hazard a guess

 

M

MacNara

Well-known member

• Sep 6, 2011

• #3

3 is Greater Blue-eared, as Cape Glossy has no mask.

I agree that 2 is Meve's (with that tail). I think you are probably right on Burchell's for the other three photos. BUT: there seems to be a lot of tail moulting going on, and the books have Meve's as strongly blue, which your photos 1, 4 and 5 are, but Burchell's as green-blue, so it's possible that all four are Meve's.

 

Tib78

Well-known member

• Sep 6, 2011

• #4

Pic 1, 4, 5 are Burchell's indeed.
Pic 3 is a Cape indeed.

Picture 2, I am not sure but I would favour Burchell's over Meve's. The tail of Meve's is usually even longer than here, but more importantly, it is narrow and gradually tapering towards the tip.

Some Meve's: http://www.warwicktarboton.co.za/birdpgs/763MvSta.html
Burchell's with similar tail lenght (scroll down to the bottom): http://www.wilkinsonsworld.com/gallery/nggallery/bird-photographs/birds-b/

 

birdboybowley

Well-known member.....apparently so ;)

• Sep 6, 2011

• #5

Where was 2 taken Niels? Believe that Meve's is present only in the northern section of Kruger (we certainly never saw any south of Shingwedzi)? I'd side with Tib on Burchell's though for reasons given

 

njlarsen

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• Sep 6, 2011

• #6

I believe that 2 was taken in Satara rest camp, and definitely not north of Mopani, which was as far north as we got in Kruger.

Niels

 

njlarsen

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• Sep 7, 2011

• #7

Thank you all, having looked here and again in the book, I am fairly happy with the outcome.

Niels

 

redeyedvideo

It's like water off a duck's back!

• Sep 7, 2011

• #8

I agree with all the comments about no.2 being a Burchell's. Here's a Meves's for comparison.

 

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Last edited: Sep 7, 2011

njlarsen

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• Sep 8, 2011

• #9

Dave, thanks for the image. Please upload to the gallery, there are only 6 images now, and your image will add to the understanding of the variation of the species.

Cheers
Niels

 

redeyedvideo

It's like water off a duck's back!

• Sep 8, 2011

• #10

njlarsen said:

Dave, thanks for the image. Please upload to the gallery, there are only 6 images now, and your image will add to the understanding of the variation of the species.

Cheers
Niels

Click to expand...

OK Niels, it's not one of my best shots but I'll make some adjustments and add it if it helps.